Key Historical Milestones of the Iberian Peninsula

The Visigothic Monarchy

In 409, the Roman Empire formed a pact with the Visigoths to protect and control Hispanic lands against the Suebi, Vandals, and Alani. Following the collapse of the Roman Empire, the Visigoths organized a monarchy and established their capital in Toledo. It was an elective monarchy supported by institutions such as the Aula Regia and the Councils of Toledo.

Romanization of the Peninsula

From the 3rd century BC to the 5th century AD, the peninsula underwent a process of cultural imposition and adjustment to Roman civilization. This process was intense and rapid, leading to the naming of the region as Hispania. Key legacies include:

• The Latin language
• Roman Law
• Philosophy and administrative structures

The Reconquista Process

This was the process by which the Christian states of the Iberian Peninsula recovered territories conquered by the Arabs since the early 8th century. These territories were integrated into Christian feudal kingdoms. Significant battles occurred during this period, most notably the Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa in 1212. Once territories were reconquered, the Christian population moved into these regions freely.

Expulsion of the Jews

The Hispanic monarchy pressured Jewish communities to convert to Catholicism. This marked the final episode of the persecution of a community dedicated to crafts, trade, and banking. These individuals were excluded from various social aspects and forced to live in segregated neighborhoods.

The House of Trade

In 1503, the Casa de Contratación (House of Trade) was created in Seville to control all traffic of people and merchandise between Spain and the Americas. This allowed the Crown to ensure efficient tax collection, specifically the quinto real (royal fifth) of all wealth from the Indies. The American trade monopoly was granted exclusively to the port of Seville.

The War of the Spanish Succession

This conflict arose following the death of the childless Charles II in 1700. The candidates for the throne were Philip of France and Charles of Habsburg (Austria). The succession became an international problem: Castile and Navarre remained faithful to Philip V, while the Crown of Aragon supported the Austrian candidate.